'Misleading, blatant lies' - ISPR rejects claims about Gen Bajwa, family's assets

'Misleading, blatant lies' - ISPR rejects claims about Gen Bajwa, family's assets

RAWALPIND – Pakistan Army’s media wing has termed the facts and figures shared on social media about assets of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family members “misleading”.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said that the details about their assets are based on assumptions, adding that a specific group has cunningly attributed the assets held by the father of Gen Bajwa’s daughter-in-law to the Army Chief and his family.

It also rejected an impression that Gen Bajwa’s relative built up the assets during his six-year stint as COAS. Calling the reports contrary to fact and an blatant lies, the ISPR said that the attempt was based on mal-intentions.

Assets owned by the Army Chief and his family are declared with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), it said, adding that they filed their tax returns regularly.

Like every citizen, Army Chief and his family is answerable to the tax authorities, it said. 

Earlier this week, the FBR suspended from service two officers of the Inland Revenue Service in connection with the leak of tax record details of the outgoing army chief his family.

Sources said Deputy Commissioners Atif Nawaz and Zahoor Ahmad have been suspended from service after preliminary investigations.

According to the initial report, the data leaked from the log in and passwords of both officers who are currently under investigation for further revelations.

Earlier, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar ordered an inquiry into the unwarranted leakage of tax information of the family members of outgoing army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Taking serious notice, he said this is clear violation of complete confidentiality of tax information that the law provides. In view of this serious lapse on the part of to-date unknown functionaries, the Finance Minister has directed the SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha to personally lead an immediate investigation into the violation of tax law and breach of FBR data, affix responsibility and submit a report within twenty-four hours.